Free Suicide Prevention Class Teaches Lifesaving Skills for Los Alamos

On December 11, 2025 a one hour Suicide Prevention Partner class using the ABC Ask, Be Present, Connect curriculum met in the upstairs classroom of Mesa Public Library. The free course ran from noon to 1 p.m. and covered common warning signs of suicide, how to approach and talk with someone who may be in crisis, and local resources for follow up. Attendees who completed the session received a one year certificate.

Organizers encouraged broad participation, inviting friends, family members, co workers and neighbors to attend so that more people in Los Alamos are prepared to recognize and respond to signs of distress. RSVP requests were directed to Kristine Coblentz and a co contact via SFCC.

Public health officials and community leaders have emphasized the value of brief, accessible training in increasing the number of people who can offer immediate, informed support. In the context of the holiday season, when stress and isolation can rise, the class was promoted as a simple and practical step residents can take to help someone who may be struggling until professional care is available.

The training follows a growing local emphasis on community based mental health preparedness. Short courses like the ABC Partner class focus on deescalation, compassionate listening, and connecting people to emergency and ongoing services. Certificates of completion are often accepted by community organizations and workplaces as evidence of basic prevention training.

For Los Alamos residents, the event reinforced the idea that lifesaving interventions do not always require clinical expertise. A neighbor, friend or co worker who knows warning signs and how to ask about suicide can make a critical difference. Organizers hope this session will prompt more community members to seek similar training in the future and to share knowledge within families, workplaces and neighborhood networks.